Exchangeable electrode and ecg cable snap connector

Abstract

A body-worn physiological sensor assembly ( 100 ) having a monitor/event recorder ( 120 ), a plurality of ECG electrodes ( 140, 180, 182 ), and an interconnect device ( 160 ) disposed between the recorder and the ECG electrodes. The interconnect device is preferably disposable, and simplifies the cleaning and decontamination of the assembly after use. In addition, the disposable interconnect device ( 160 ) incorporates the primary wear surfaces for the various electrical connections.

1 . A body-worn ECG monitor assembly ( 100 ), comprising:
 a base ECG electrode ( 140 ) with a male electrical connector;   an exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) comprising means for mounting to the base ECG electrode electrical connector;   a remote ECG electrode ( 180 ) having a lead wire and lead wire connector electrically connected to the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector; and   an ECG module ( 120 ) removably connected to the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector.   
     
     
         2 . The body-worn ECG monitor assembly ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) comprises a mounting clip ( 210 ) removably connected to the base ECG electrode male electrical connector. 
     
     
         3 . The body-worn ECG monitor assembly ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting clip ( 210 ) further comprises a spring arm for removably attaching the mounting clip to the base ECG electrode male electrical connector. 
     
     
         4 . The body-worn ECG monitor assembly ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) further comprises a socket for receiving the lead wire connector. 
     
     
         5 . The body-worn ECG monitor assembly ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the ECG module ( 120 ) comprises a mount tongue ( 310 ) and the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector comprises an interconnect receiver ( 260 ), and further wherein the mount tongue is removably mated with the interconnect receiver. 
     
     
         6 . The body-worn ECG monitor assembly ( 100 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the ECG module ( 120 ) further comprises a charging/communication pin ( 340 ) disposed in electrical contact with an exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector interconnect contact ( 270 ). 
     
     
         7 . The body-worn ECG monitor assembly ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) further comprises circuitry for electrically connecting the ECG module, base ECG electrode and remote ECG electrode. 
     
     
         8 . An exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) comprising:
 a case;   an ECG electrode mounting clip ( 210 ) disposed at a first end of the case;   an ECG lead wire socket ( 220 ) disposed at a second end of the case;   an ECG module interconnect receiver disposed on a first side of the case; and   a mounting clip spring arm disposed on a second side of the case.   
     
     
         9 . The exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) of  claim 8 , further comprising a clip pivot operably attaching the mounting clip spring arm to the ECG electrode mounting clip. 
     
     
         10 . The exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) of  claim 8 , further comprising at least two interconnect contacts disposed on the first side of the case, wherein the two interconnect contacts are configured to electrically connect to corresponding contact pins on an ECG module. 
     
     
         11 . The exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) of  claim 10 , further comprising an electrical circuit electrically connecting each of the ECG electrode mounting clip ( 210 ) and the ECG lead wire socket ( 220 ) to one of the two interconnect contacts. 
     
     
         12 . The exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) of  claim 11 , wherein the interconnect contacts are spring-loaded. 
     
     
         13 . The exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) of  claim 8 , further comprising an interconnect catch disposed on the first side of the case, the interconnect catch configured to secure an ECG module mount tongue hook ( 320 ). 
     
     
         14 . The exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector ( 160 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the case is comprised of molded polymer. 
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling an ambulatory ECG monitor comprising the steps of:
 applying a base ECG electrode to a patient's torso;   connecting an exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector to the base ECG electrode;   attaching an ECG module to the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector after the connecting step;   adhering a remote ECG electrode to a patient's torso; and   plugging a lead wire connector from the remote ECG electrode into a socket in the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 collecting patient ECG information from the assembled ambulatory ECG monitor after the plugging step;   disconnecting the ECG module and the lead wire connector from the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector after the collecting step;   detaching the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector from the base ECG electrode; and   connecting a second exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector to the base ECG electrode.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the detaching step further comprises discarding the exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 decontaminating a second ECG module; and   attaching the second ECG module to the second exchangeable electrode and ECG cable snap connector.